Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic
Early childhood (EC) directors played a critical role in the successful operation of childcare centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Directors were responsible for adhering to health and safety protocols and caring for the well-being of their staff, children, and families. Due to the need to remain...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Journal of Childhood, Education and Society
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Childhood, Education & Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.j-ces.com/index.php/jces/article/view/296 |
| _version_ | 1797317315865346048 |
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| author | Sara Movahedazarhouligh Meredith Jones |
| author_facet | Sara Movahedazarhouligh Meredith Jones |
| author_sort | Sara Movahedazarhouligh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Early childhood (EC) directors played a critical role in the successful operation of childcare centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Directors were responsible for adhering to health and safety protocols and caring for the well-being of their staff, children, and families. Due to the need to remain open for other first responders’ families, Directors were challenged with fluctuating numbers of staff and children, and in other cases, they were tasked with transitioning their programs online to serve children. This study examines 10 US EC Directors’ perspectives and leadership experiences during the Pandemic. From interviews with the participants, themes emerged to illustrate how EC Directors utilized adaptive leadership skills and strengths-based leadership. Findings from this study are beneficial not only to understand how EC Directors led during the Pandemic, but also which skills, resources, and supports are necessary for future times of crises and challenging times. This article offers recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and other decision-makers on how best to support EC Directors in future times of uncertainty. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:33:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5be915114e8f4157b2a153c5e60389b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2717-638X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:33:09Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Journal of Childhood, Education and Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Childhood, Education & Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-5be915114e8f4157b2a153c5e60389b72024-02-10T10:13:39ZengJournal of Childhood, Education and SocietyJournal of Childhood, Education & Society2717-638X2024-02-01518910310.37291/2717638X.202451296284Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemicSara Movahedazarhouligh0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0399-0105Meredith Jones1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3469-1642University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Carolina Wilmington Early childhood (EC) directors played a critical role in the successful operation of childcare centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Directors were responsible for adhering to health and safety protocols and caring for the well-being of their staff, children, and families. Due to the need to remain open for other first responders’ families, Directors were challenged with fluctuating numbers of staff and children, and in other cases, they were tasked with transitioning their programs online to serve children. This study examines 10 US EC Directors’ perspectives and leadership experiences during the Pandemic. From interviews with the participants, themes emerged to illustrate how EC Directors utilized adaptive leadership skills and strengths-based leadership. Findings from this study are beneficial not only to understand how EC Directors led during the Pandemic, but also which skills, resources, and supports are necessary for future times of crises and challenging times. This article offers recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and other decision-makers on how best to support EC Directors in future times of uncertainty.https://www.j-ces.com/index.php/jces/article/view/296early childhood leadershipadaptive leadershipstrengths-based leadership |
| spellingShingle | Sara Movahedazarhouligh Meredith Jones Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic Journal of Childhood, Education & Society early childhood leadership adaptive leadership strengths-based leadership |
| title | Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Leading in times of uncertainty: Early childhood directors navigating the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | leading in times of uncertainty early childhood directors navigating the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | early childhood leadership adaptive leadership strengths-based leadership |
| url | https://www.j-ces.com/index.php/jces/article/view/296 |
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